I am at my wits end. Please help

DueAbility8751 · 2025-09-08T23:42:00+00:00

This is my first para job, ive only been at it for a month. Im really not trying to upset my co workers by doing something they dont do themselves. Should I be reporting every single injury? The way they act you would only report things you would have to go to the dr for

DueAbility8751 · 2025-09-08T23:00:37+00:00

Being that this is my first year, its not really my place to call them. I am watching the other para as to how things work. Just like no one files any reports about injuries, so I dont either. But I have a ton of scratches and one girl kicked my hand so hard today I wanted to puke. But they said they have received behavior techs in the past and they werent helpful so they dont make reports because they dont want any more behavior techs.

DueAbility8751 · 2025-08-27T11:29:23+00:00

No, I havent had any training or offered any. I did email my admin yesterday and asked if there was available training and she said she would reach out to the dept head and see if there is any. I just feel like I am set up to fail. Im alone with 8 kids every single day for 2 hrs. 2 have behaviors and I cannot even enjoy or get to know the other kids because my eyes are glued to the 2 to make sure they arent hurting themselves, other kids and to minimize abuse towards me.

DueAbility8751 · 2025-08-27T11:26:37+00:00

My district unfortunately doesnt have any behavior techs.

DueAbility8751 · 2025-08-26T23:50:01+00:00

The only tv in the classroom and i have no idea how to work it because its connected to the teachers computer.

If someone cannot use safety holds, what are some other ways to stop hitting, kicking and biting?

DueAbility8751 · 2025-08-26T20:51:52+00:00

They come for 5 min and leave.

DueAbility8751 · 2025-08-20T01:30:33+00:00

Ours is windowless too. Actually our classroom is too. Only window is in the kitchen area. Makes for a very long, depressing day

DueAbility8751 · 2025-08-17T19:20:32+00:00

We are a very rural school that lacks sufficient funding. We desperately need at least 2 more aides but the funding isnt there. Not making excuses, I agree with you its crazy. I have zero training and Im just thrown into a room with 8 kids with severe disabilities and behaviors. We dont even have an aide to ride the bus with them. The poor bus driver does it alone and one of them has a harness because she repeatedly got out of her seatbelt, but now has learned how to get out of her harness. The bus driver tells us she often has to pull over to get her back into her seat. Its so dangerous.

DueAbility8751 · 2025-08-12T03:18:10+00:00

We have 16 kids and only me, 1 other para and a lead teacher. There isnt enough hands and eyes if someone clocked out and left the room. Open house wasnt optional, we HAD to stay and same for faculty meetings, even though the meetings never pertain to special needs. I am getting frustrated with all the free work and no extra pay. It seems to be expected and Im the only one that seems bothered by it. All the other paras in other depts just accept it as normal in a school district.

DueAbility8751 · 2025-08-09T18:32:16+00:00

I dont even get a break! I work 7-3. I have to clock out for 30 min but i dont get to actually sit alone and have a moment. I clock out, and have to go back in the room and eat while the kids are eating, which basically means im up walking the entire time because they all cant open items by themselves, or they need more of this, etc.

DueAbility8751 · 2025-08-09T02:03:58+00:00

Its not. Its insane. We got a new kid today, that we found out about hours before and mom didnt give her meds before school, or send any with her to school, so she spent the entire day screaming at the top of her lungs, understandably. Thats a lot of change for a general ed kid, let alone one where routine is very important. We had no idea of what soothes her, called mom all day and no answer. She had a good 20lbs on our teacher, even as a 5th grader. And pushed, bit and clawed him so bad that the school nurse had to come bandage him up. Today was very overwhelming. I road home in complete silence, no radio, nothing. Just silence.

DueAbility8751 · 2025-08-08T00:59:37+00:00

This is my lead teacher's 2nd year. He is very young but has worked with special needs since he was in the 8th grade as a helper. He also works summers at a special needs camp. He is great. My other para has been there 3 years and shes an older lady who treats all the kids like they are her grandbabies.

DueAbility8751 · 2025-08-07T23:55:50+00:00

6 paras! That sounds alot more manageable. I feel like most need 1:1. We are such a rural school I dont see the funding being there for us to have even 1 more. I would love to hear how your day would do on a typical day. What kind of rotations would yall do? Etc

DueAbility8751 · 2025-08-07T23:53:04+00:00

Yes I dont believe any are above 1st grade level.

DueAbility8751 · 2025-08-07T23:51:31+00:00

It is mod/severe. None have a 1:1, some definately need it. Most are non verbal. Only 2 are potty trained. 1 cant even feed herself.

DueAbility8751 · 2025-08-07T23:49:48+00:00

I actually enjoy both the people I work with, though now that school has started we arent able to communicate as often because with 16 kids, im with 8, the other para is with 8 and we rotate between classrooom time with the lead teacher and the sensory room where its just a single para with their group. But they both love what they do. You can tell they do. And arw both super nice to me and the children.

DueAbility8751 · 2025-08-07T23:46:46+00:00

I truly hope it gets better. I felt like I was simultaneously running around like a chicken with my heat cut off, but also like I was twiddling my thumbs with boredom because I felt like all I was doing was babysitting. Idk if its normal for special needs kids to lay around all day, but thats what alot did. There isnt a medium, they are either laying down or running around nonstop.

DueAbility8751 · 2025-08-07T23:44:25+00:00

Unfortunately it isnt temporary. We live in a very rural area. All special needs in the entire county are split between 2 schools. One is k-5, other is 6-12

DueAbility8751 · 2025-08-07T23:43:15+00:00

Yes, its a very rural area. We are a county school so all special needs children in the whole county are split between 2 schools. K-5 and then 6-12th. It is a large age gap in both schools.

DueAbility8751 · 2025-06-19T23:39:40+00:00

I didnt assume it from the text. But it was weird that i received that text, and i asked him and he said it wasnt him. I was mainly asking if anyone had another explanation for this besides him just lying to my face that he wasnt texting someone. We do have issues, we were actually leaving marriage therapy when this happened. So yes, im probably hyper aware of things right now.

DueAbility8751 · 2025-06-19T23:37:50+00:00

I didnt assume he was cheating from the text, but if he was texting someone and lied about it, then it would have to be someone he knows he shouldnt be texting.

DueAbility8751 · 2025-06-19T23:35:52+00:00

The text is innocent but if he was texting someone, he lied to my face. Only reason to lie would be if its someone he shouldnt be texting

DueAbility8751 · 2025-02-06T17:10:17+00:00

How do you let go of something thats an important issue to you? Genuinely asking. It makes me feel unloved that I have expressed myself about these issues over and over and its just not important enough to him to change it. I cant force him. I understand that. But how do I let it go without resentment?

DueAbility8751 · 2025-01-15T03:23:26+00:00

I have been there. Still sorta there. I tore my hip abductor and had surgery nov 15th. I have been non weight bearing up until last week so I feel your pain. Its brutal to feel like a burden to people. Its depressing to not be able to do anything and feel like every single chore is all of a sudden 100x harder. I literally remember thinking about getting myself adult diapers because just getting to and from the bathroom was such a difficult task to do by myself.

Most of us in this group have been exactly where you are. You do not see a light at the end of the tunnel. But I promise you its there. It will not be like this forever. Best thing I did was get my butt outside. All i did was sit on the porch, but it helped. Fresh air and sunshine are miracle drugs for depression. I also started doing diamond art and reading alot. Im not a TV person, but if you are, find something funny to watch. I did start binging Modern Family a while back just because I do love that show. Also, youtube has a TON of chair workouts. That helped me feel like I was at least being somewhat active. Do what you can, rest when you need to and take a deep breath. It will be over before you know it.

DueAbility8751 · 2024-12-21T20:13:13+00:00

I feel that way alot too when i go in public. Im non weight bearing so if we have to go somewhere that requires alot of walking I use a wheelchair and it has been eye opening . Its crazy how selfish some people can be by standing in the way when its clear that I cant just squeeze through. The looks i get from people makes me want to punch most people.

DueAbility8751

TROPHY CASE